Northeast Desk, 18th February: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has urged government employees in Manipur’s Churachandpur district to refrain from attending work starting Monday, protesting the suspension of a head constable allegedly seen with armed men in a video grab.
The tribal outfit called for the revocation of the suspension of head constable Siamlalpaul and demanded the “immediate replacement” of Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve and Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar.
Following the suspension of the head constable on February 15, violence erupted, resulting in at least two deaths and 30 injuries. A mob stormed into a government complex housing the SP and DC offices, setting vehicles on fire and ransacking government property.
Despite the ITLF’s ultimatum for the cancellation of the suspension order and replacement of officials, no action has been taken by the authorities, stated the outfit in a statement.
The ITLF warned that government employees should refrain from going to the office, emphasizing that they would bear responsibility for any untoward incidents.
Head constable Siamlalpaul was suspended “with immediate effect until further orders” after a video surfaced showing him with armed individuals, deemed as grave misconduct by the police department.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence and stated that an FIR has been filed against an individual for threatening to kill the SP. Repairs are underway for the damaged DC bungalow.
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